Arch for shoes



Oct. 7, 1930. J LUDLAM 1,777,440

ARCH FOR SHOES F iled June 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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,1 T'TORNEY Oct. 7, 1930.

J. E. LUDLAM 1,777,440

ARCH FOR SHOES Filed June 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Shee 2 IN V EN TOR.

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1 1 I I ATTORNE Patented Oct. 7, 1930 PATENT OFFICE JAMES E. LUDLAlYL OFIBELLEVILLE, NEW JERSEY v ARCH roa SHOES Application filed June 28,

My invention relates broadly to shoes and more particularly to theconstruction of arch support for increasing the comfort of shoes underconditions of continued wear of the shoe.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of archsupport for shoes in which the combined effect of flexibility andrigidity may be obtained throughout the different areas of support inthe arch of the foot.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of archsupport for shoes wherein localized areas of flexibility and lu'rigidityare obtained throughout different portions of the arch support forincreasing the comfort of shoes under conditions of continued wear.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction ofarch support for shoes wherein one portion thereof serves to support theoscalsis, cuboid and external metatarsal bones, while another portionthereof serves to support the astragalus,

scaphoid, middle and internal cuneiform bones and also the inner numberone and two metatarsal bones in such manner as to cause a natural springto the arch while the foot' is in action or repose.

A further object of my invention is to provide an attachment for shoesin the form of a strip of rigid metal positioned beneath the arch toform a solid support throughout one area, and having spring means in thearch support through another area thereof for supporting another portionof the foot.

A still further object of my invention is to provde a construction ofarch support for shoes wherein one portion of the arch is sup ported bya solid metal strip, while another portion is supported by a pair ofcooperatively slidable strips of metal adapted to slide one with respectto the other for effecting'a massaging of the muscles of the arch forpreserving the foot in perfect condition.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction ofa combined rigid and flexible arch support as set forth in thespecification hereinafter following and by 1929. Serial No. 374,431.

reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shoe broken away and showing incross-section the arch support of my invention and the relation of thebones of the foot which are supported thereby; Fig. 2 is a plan viewshowing the arch support with the bones of the foot superimposed thereonin dotted lines; F ig. 3 is a perspective view of the arch support of myinvention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the several parts which Iemploy in assembling the arch support of my invention; Fig. 5 is alongitudinal cross-sectional view taken through the arch support; andFig. 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of Fig. 1,showing the arch support in position in the shoe.

The arch support of my invention has been developed to meet the severestresses which are brought about in' the support of the foot when thefoot is in action. In analyzing the forces which are efiective under theweight and action of the foot, I have found that in arch supportsheretofore available, there exists considerable non-uniformity in thedistribution of the supporting forces and failure of positive supportbeneath the arch of the foot in areas where such positive support isessential.

I have developed the arch support of the present invention having amultiplicity of parts, each of which performs different functions in thesupport of the foot. In the arch support of my invention, there is anouter or solid part holding the central and outer bones, that is, theoscalsis, cuboid and external metatarsal bones. This solid part of thearch is cut away at opposite ends, and bridged across the ends of thesolid part there is an arch composed of relatively movable spring stripsextending in a line substantially parallel to the solid part of the archand providing a support for the astragalus, scaphoid, middle andinternal cuneiform and also the inner number one and two metarsal bones.While the solid part of the arch supresiliency causing a natural springand ease I of movement beneath the arch, imparting a massaging actionunder movement of the foot while maintaining the muscles and bones ofthe foot in a natural position. The resilient strips which slide oneupon the other in the arch support provide strength and flexibility tothe arch avoiding fatigue and assuring the life of the arch to meet allpractical requirements.

Where the bones and muscles of the foot are lowered or the archstructure weak, the arch of my invention will support them along theinner side in a flexible manner, causing a spring action and bringingthem back to normal, effecting a gradual cure and giving the wearergreat comfort while it is taking place. If the foot is in goodcondition, the arch of my invention will keep it so and prevent it fromfalling, at the same time absorbing all shocks which would betransmitted through rigid arch supports.

The arch support of my invention performs a double action, that. is, thesolid bridge supports the arch of the foot in the outer position whereall feet normally touch a horizontal plane, thereby'keeping the archfrom falling or breaking down during the normal life of the shoe whilethe inner or flexible portion of the arch maintains the inner musclesand bones in perfect position, massaging the muscles and preventing thebreaking down of the essential and active portion of thefoot.

The arch support may be placed between the inner and outer soles of awelt process shoe or the arch support may be placed on the inside topportion of the insole of a shoe of any process or the arch support maybe made as an insertable unit to be placed inside a shoe, and separatetherefrom.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 1 designates ashoe which encloses the foot which I have represented by illustratingthe disposition of the several bones of the foot. Ifiaference character2 designates the oscalsis, 3 the astragalus, 4 the tibia, 5 thescaphoid, 6 the internal cuneiform, 7 the metatarsal, and 8 one of thephalanx bones. I have illustrated the insole of the shoe at 9, and inorder to set forth one of the applications of my invention, I have shownthe arch support secured to the insole, but it will be understood, thatthe arch support. may be placed between the inner and outer soles of awelt process shoe or may be in the form of an inside attachment, or aseparate unit to be placed inside of a shoe.

The arch support comprises strip member 10 having opposite portionswhich are enlarged, one-of the end portions extending substantiallybeneath the oscalsis' and theother end portion extending substantiallybe-.

neath the metatarsals. The arch support is cut away at one side as shownat edges 12, 14 and 15, thereby providing a semi-rigid arch supportadjacent one side of the foot. The opposite ends of the arch support aresecured to the insole or between the inner and outer soles by means ofrivets 11 which pass through aperture 11 in the arch support 10. Betweenthe ends of the arch support I arran e a flexible bridge membercomprising resi ient strips 16 and 20. Strip 16 is anchored to one endof the arch support 10 by rivet 17 passing through aperture 17 in strip16' and through aperture 17 b in arch support 10. Strip 20 is secured tothe opposite end of the arch support 10 by rivet 21 passing throughaperture 21 in strip 20 and through aperture 21 in arch support 10. Thestrips 16 and 20 slide longitudinally one with respect to the other,where rivet 19 secured in aperture 19 of strip 20 is adapted to slidelongitudinally in aperture 19 and strip 16.

Rivet 18 in strip 16 passes through aperture 18 in strip 16 and throughslot 18 in strip 20 in which it is confined in a manner by whichbridge-like strips 16 and 20 may slide longitudinally with respect toeach other but remain in the same plane superimposed one above theother. The rivets 18 and 19 have heads provided thereon which confinethe movement of the resilient strips to the same plane, preventinglateral dlsplacement of the strips.

Under conditions of the action of the foot the arch support operates tosupport the bones of the foot and massage the muscles in a manner bywhich the muscles and bones are maintained in their natural position andbenefited instead of fatigued lending to the comfort and the wearing proerties of shoes.

The solid portion of the exible support 10 supports the oscalsis, cuboidand external metatarsal bones, while the bridge of greater astragalus,scaphoid, middle and internal" cuneiform bones and also the inner numberone and two metatarsal bones. The conjoint supporting effect by thedifferent portions of the arch support results in a high degree ofcomfort to the wearer.

The arch support of my invention has been found to be extremelypractical in manufacture and production, capable of being readily formedinto a shoe and my arch support has proven successful in its use, andwhile I have described one of the preferred embodiments of my invention,I desire that it be understood that modifications may made and that nolimitations upon my invention are intended other than those imposed bythe scope of the appended claims.

iso

rigid metallic member having enlarged ends interconnected by an integralintermediate metallic portion adjacent one side of said enlarged endsfor supporting a predetermined portion of a foot, a flexible memberinterconnecting the ends of said strip and extending in a linesubstantially offset from the center line of the intermediate metallicportion of said rigid metallic member, said flexible metallicmember'having a plurality of portions each slidable one with respect tothe other for effecting a flexible support to other portions of the footand arranged to effect a massaging action with respect to the muscles ofthe foot.

2. In an arch support for shoes, a multiplicity of substantiallyparallel extending strip members positioned substantially side by sidefor supporting different portions of the arch of a foot, one of saidstrip members being substantially solid throughout its length and theother of said strip members beingsupportedbysaidsolidstripmemberandhaving a plurality of parts arranged to slide one with respect to theother for effecting a massaging action with respect to the muscles ofthefoot remote from the portions of the foot supported by said solid stripmember.

3. In an arch support for shoes, a metallic arch connected to an insole,one side of said arch being cut away and aplurality of flexible metallicstrip members each centered at opposite ends of said first mentionedstrip member in a position bridging the gap between the ends of the cutaway portion of said first mentioned strip member.

4. In an arch support for shoes, a semirigid metallic member extendingbeneath the arch adjacent the insole of a shoe, said semirigid metallicmember having one side thereof cut away, and means extending between theends of said semi-rigid member and within the cut away portion thereofcomprising a multiplicity of flexible strips slidable with respect toeach other and each serving to flexibly support bones not supported bysaid semi-rigid member.

5. In an arch support for shoes, means extending beneath the bones of afoot adjacent the arch thereof, said means comprising a multiplicity-ofstrip-like members, one of said strip-like members having greaterrigidity than the other of said strip-like members and being cut awayadjacent one side thereof, the other of said strip-like members havingrelatively great flexibility and bridging the gap in the cut awayportion of said first mentioned strip-like member, said strip-likemembers cooperating to support the bones adjacent the arch of a foot andserving to impart a massaging efl'ect to the muscles of a foot when thefoot is in action.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JAMES E. LUDLAM.

